Yahoo News Mark Blum death: Madonna and Mark Hamill lead tributes after actor dies from coronavirus
Tributes have been pouring in for Mark Blum after the actor died of complications from coronavirus at the age of 69.
Blum recently appeared as bookstore owner Mr Mooney in YOU, the stalker-themed Netflix drama starring Penn Badgley. He also played Bill Lockheart on Succession, as well as Ira Langstrom in Elementary.
Madonna, Mark Hamill and Rosanna Arquette are among the stars who have posted messages about Blum on social media.
“I Want to Acknowledge the Passing of a remarkable Human, fellow actor and friend Mark Blum, who succumbed to Coronavirus,” Madonna posted on Instagram. “This is really tragic and my heart goes out to him, his family and his loved ones. I remember him as funny warm, loving and professional when we made Desperately Seeking Susan in 1985!!
“Another reminder that this virus is no joke, nothing to be casual about or pretend wont affect us in some way….we need to stay grateful -be hopeful- and follow the quarantine rules!”
Hamill tweeted: We will never stop missing him.”
“He was a wonderful actor and a very good and kind man,” tweeted Arquette, saying she was deeply saddened by “this very, very hard news”.
Others remembering Blum include James Van Der Beek, Judith Light, Josh Radnor and Cynthia Nixon.
He has been hailed by many as “generous”, “humble”, “hilarious” and “deeply respected”.
I did a play with Mark Blum in ‘97 literally the day after wrapping the #DawsonsCreek pilot. He was SO good... and generous and kind and I learned so much from him about how to be a professional – lessons that got me through the insanity that was to come. Prayers for his family. https://t.co/7r7dLyvOeK
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames)
Mark Blum RIP. So sad to lose you to this horrid crisis!💔💔
— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters)
Mark Blum, so generous, so kind, so humble,so talented. Our time together in the play The Assembled Parties at MTC was a true joy
May he rest in peace knowing that he transformed the lives of so many and was cherished by so many; me among them— JudithLight (@JudithLight)
Mark Blum was a dear, kind man, a fiercely talented artist, a good pal. His loss is devastating to all who loved him. Condolences to his family. Our hearts are with them.
This plague will pass, but the scars it leaves will be permanent.
Stay safe, friends.— Terry Kinney (@RealTerryKinney)
I am so devastated by Mark Blum’s passing. His performances in the dozens of plays I saw him in were unfailingly deep, subtle, hilarious and moving in equal measure. Seeing his name in the Playbill always meant you were in for a treat. Also just one of the loveliest humans ever. pic.twitter.com/vC5rlpRJtq
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon)
When I was in drama school Mark Blum was exactly the kind of actor I aspired to be: constantly employed, deeply respected, total mensch. Gutted to hear of his passing. His wife Janet Zarish was my acting teacher at NYU. They were the loveliest couple. My heart breaks for her. https://t.co/J7MvHutdge
— Josh Radnor (@JoshRadnor)
It is clear, we will all lose people we know and love. Sweet dreams friend... https://t.co/OWo24SJJHU
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations)
Blum’s death comes as the US surpasses China for the highest number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the world, with 82,404 people infected with the disease.
Trump responded by questioning other countries’ statistics, saying: “It’s a tribute to the amount of testing that we’re doing. We’re doing tremendous testing, and I’m sure you’re not able to tell what China is testing or not testing. I think that’s a little hard.”
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